I look forward to Advent every year. It is a special time of year for slowing down and remembering the Christ child born to save. I like to have a special devotional and activity for my children each day during Advent to teach them about a humble Prince leaving His palace above to lie in a cattle’s trough.
The word “advent” means arrival or coming of something anticipated. The weeks preceding Christmas is a time of waiting. We prepare our hearts for His arrival. I am not very good at waiting. In fact, I’m a rather impatient person. Our culture thrives on instant gratification. We don’t tolerate lines, slow computers, and saving before we buy. Like a fruit picked well before ripeness, rushing through life leaves sour and bitter taste.
The most important and beautiful things often come from waiting. Seeds planted, watered and provided sun grow full and healthy in the Spring. Nine months of pregnancy results in the birth of a precious child. A friendship nurtured over time results in deep trust. When the heart is quiet and meditates on God’s word, the waiting results in a soul filled full and satisfied.
“Not everyone can wait; neither the sated nor the satisfied nor those without respect can wait. The only ones who can wait are people who carry restlessness around with them and people who look up with reverence to the greatest in the world. Thus Advent can be celebrated only by those whose souls give them no peace, who know that they are poor and incomplete, and who sense something of the greatness that is supposed to come, before which they can only bow in humble timidity, waiting until he inclines himself toward us–the Holy One himself, God in the child in the manger. God is coming; the Lord Jesus is coming; Christmas is coming. Rejoice, O Christendome!” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I pray that we are those who can wait. May our hearts grow still and listen for the sound of the Christ-child. May our souls be filled this season with the joy that can only come from those who know their Savior has come and is coming. “He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21:6
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great post…great quote…yes…the quiet active waiting…
Blessing to you and your family as you teach them of CHrist…
I didn’t see a link on your blog for a direct email so I thought I would comment and ask here. I hope that is okay. I saw that you are new to homeschooling and wanted to know how you began your process. My husband and I are praying and seeking God’s direction for our children’s education. My son is currently in a public Kindergarten and we such a drastic change in him and it is breaking our hearts. I am wanting to find out more info, but am overwhelmed with all the info on the web and don’t know what to begin to look at. I have been following your blog and thought I would ask for some help. Any advice would be helpful. My email is khromans43@yahoo.com .
How awesome that you included the quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer! I’m reading “God Is in the Manger” this Advent season! And as soon as I read his words, I thought, Oh boy, I am terrible at being patient! Last year was the first time (and I credit homeschooling for the change) we slowed down and focused on the coming of Christ. It was a revelation on how we conducted ourselves amidst the commercialism and materialism…I’ll never go back to the way I was! Thanks so much for sharing this post!
Christina, I just nominated you for a Liebster Award. I love your blog and have been inspired by your writing. This award is given by bloggers to fellow bloggers as a way to spread the word about blogs that we love and want to share. Check on my site to see more about it. Katie
“The most important and beautiful things often come from waiting.” I think you are so right!! I often see you as you link with Ann and I just realized you also sometimes link with 2 ladybugs for the MFW-ECC link-ups! I am also doing MFW-ECC and also recently counted my 1,000th gift! Your words about waiting were inspiring and I loved visiting you here. Many blessings to you!
Jacque